Contagious Equine Metritis Training For Veterinarians

Commissioner Encourages Attendance – March 18 at Cornell; March 25 in Rhinebeck

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today recommended licensed veterinarians across the State consider attending one of the two training sessions regarding Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM), sponsored by the New York State Veterinary Medical Society.

CEM is a contagious venereal disease of horses that has recently been diagnosed in eleven stallions outside of New York State. Subsequently, over 600 horses throughout the U.S. have potentially been exposed to CEM, including nine mares in New York State. By expanding the pool of veterinarians qualified to perform testing for CEM, the State will be better positioned to respond to a potential outbreak if one were to occur in New York State.

The training seminars will provide licensed New York State veterinarians with instruction on CEM, as well as access to horses to gain first-hand experience in culture and treatment techniques. The seminars, hosted by the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center and Rhinebeck Equine, are scheduled for March 18 in Ithaca and March 25 in Rhinebeck.

The seminars are free, but space is limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. To reserve a place at either seminar, contact Teresa Steigerwalt with the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at 607-253-3931 or at ts284@cornell.edu .

CEM can be spread when horses are bred or congenitally from mares to their foals. As potentially exposed horses are identified, they are placed under stringent restrictions by state and federal animal health authorities, pending three consecutive negative test results and treatment. The nine potentially exposed New York mares have all been quarantined until required testing and treatment are completed for each mare. None of the potentially exposed mares in New York have tested positive for CEM at this time.